"your libfreerdp does not support h264"

[Ian Turner]

When I try to connect via RDP, Remmina gives this error:

"You requested an h264 GFX mode for server <server name>, but your libfreerdp does not support h264. Please check color depth settings."

However, (1) I don't see any color depth settings in Remmina GUI, and (2) ubuntu-restricted-extras is installed. I have libx264-152 version 2:0.152.2854+gite9a5903-2.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 18.04
Package: remmina 1.2.0-rcgit.29+dfsg-1ubuntu1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.15.0-15.16-generic 4.15.15
Uname: Linux 4.15.0-15-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.20.9-0ubuntu6
Architecture: amd64
CurrentDesktop: KDE
Date: Tue Apr 24 09:29:44 2018
InstallationDate: Installed on 2018-03-23 (31 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Kubuntu 18.04 LTS "Bionic Beaver" - Alpha amd64 (20180306.1)
SourcePackage: remmina
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

[Ian Turner (vectro)]

I found the color depth setting (not available for quick connect), and changing it to GFX RFX, I'm able to connect.

[Kevin (swiftninja)]

Not sure how Ian was able to work around this. On a fresh install of Kubuntu 18.04 and a fresh install of Remmina, the only option available is Quick Connect. I suspect I'd have more options /once I was able to connect/, such as remembering the connection, but it won't let you do that when it's failing out with this error about libfreerdp. And the main settings in Remmina don't have any H264 settings.

Basically, for a fresh install, all signs point to being hooped.

I can't fall back on KRDC because, while it works (and connects), its keyboard capture doesn't work and it has no scaling options, and even when you specify them as additional parameters, they don't work. So I need Remmina to work :(

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

[Javier Bernal (javierbernal)]

Same bug after update to 18.04 from 17.10. I had installed remmina from github, but after upgrade I cant use GFX H264.

[Javier Bernal (javierbernal)]

I answer myself to share partial solution. I deactivated main bionic (18.04) repository and after apt update, I installed remmina from remmina-next repository. It installed ok and H264 codec now run aswell. Then I activated main bionic repository again and hold remmina packages to avoid upgrade from there.

[Ian Turner (vectro)]

My procedure for the workaround:

* Click the little + in the upper-left corner of the window. It is a bit
hard to see; the color scheme seems to be dark grey on grey.

* From here, choose a different color depth setting

* Click Save as Default, or enter other settings and click Save.

[pythagorean1804 (pythagorean1804)]

Can confirm changing the color depth works to establish a connection. Color depth is not a quick create option (underneath the Resolution drop down) so I picked "True Color" and it connected successfully. Would rather use GFX without fiddling with it though. Not a show stopper. Resolution is basically workable on the remote desktop.

[Kevin (swiftninja)]

Thanks very much Ian. I feel a bit silly now, but you're 100% correct. I couldn't figure out how to add a permanent entry initially because of the horrible theme. The "+" sign is virtually invisible on Kubuntu 18.04 and my monitor.

Now that I can, in fact, log a connection and get to the part where it lets me control graphics settings, I can indeed confirm setting "RemoteFX 32bpp" instead of the default resolves the connectivity issue. So the severity of the bug is lower than initially suspected :)

Thanks Ian!!

[RobertMeta (rmelton)]

Even while reading the location (upper-left) I still missed it for an absurd amount of time. So I attached a visual aid for those who might need it.

[Ilya Brik (ibrik)]

Can confirm the button is absolutely invisible at least on Kubuntu :)
Thanks for a workaround, guys

[Adam (arcooke)]

Experiencing the same problem on KDE Neon bionic testing.

Changing color depth from GFX AVC444 32 (32bpp) to True Color (32bpp) works for me. But this is still an issue

[Geoffrey Langenderfer (geoffro2888)]

if anyone could add a pic of this little +, I'd aprreciate it. I can't see it.

[Ian Turner (vectro)]

It is not in that dialog, it appears before you try to connect.

[Jeroen (jejoenje)]

Same here, Ubuntu 18.04.1 LTS (Lubuntu), latest Remmina version.
Workaround the same as above, changing color depth to True Color (32bpp) fixed it.

[Paul_S (pslat-8)]

The bug is really the grey plus sign on the dark grey background. That needs to be sorted. I'd never have found that without this thread, almost gave up in favour of another application.

[Doug Kemstra (dougan)]

All;
I can see the grey plus sign and clicked on that to create a new connection profile. My problem is I cannot find any settings visible to alter the color depth. I can change the connection resolution, but that seems to be the extent of my choices.
Where are you finding the setting for color depth, etc?
Thank you very much!!

[Doug Kemstra (dougan)]

OMG!
I found it.
There is a scroll bar on the right hand side of the configuration screen.
THAT was completely invisible and I just happened to move my cursor over to the right, just close enough that it expanded and I could scroll down to many more settings below the Resolution, including the Color Depth.
Thanks and sorry for the newbie inquiry :-)

[teramind (soeren-w)]

How and where can I change the color depth? I don't see the option in the settings.

[Ryan Felder (ryancfelder)]

I believe AVC/H.264 is better compression than what is used by the other options.
I would very much like it if I did not have to select True Color or any of the other options.
Is there a workaround or plan to make AVC/H.264 usable in Ubuntu 18.04?

I am using the remmina-ppa-team/remmina-next repo on Ubuntu 18.04, and these are the packages I have installed

ii remmina 1.2.0-rcgit.29+dfsg-1ubuntu1 amd64 GTK+ Remote Desktop Client
ii remmina-common 1.2.0-rcgit.29+dfsg-1ubuntu1 all Common files for Remmina
ii remmina-plugin-rdp:amd64 1.2.0-rcgit.29+dfsg-1ubuntu1 amd64 RDP plugin for Remmina
ii remmina-plugin-secret:amd64 1.2.0-rcgit.29+dfsg-1ubuntu1 amd64 Secret plugin for Remmina
ii remmina-plugin-vnc:amd64 1.2.0-rcgit.29+dfsg-1ubuntu1 amd64 VNC plugin for Remmina

[Ashok Raj (ashokr)]

Can someone give a screen shot of how to specify "True Color" or another color depth in Remmina?

[Ashok Raj (ashokr)]

I found it.. if you already have the connection setup

right click, <Basic>->Color Depth (Choose Tru color(32 bpp)

and it works like a charm..

[Alexandr O (final12345)]

remmina 1.3.5 from the remmina-next works perfect with the GFX AVC modes.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:remmina-ppa-team/remmina-next
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y && sudo apt autoremove -y && sudo apt autoclean

[Castigo HD (castigohd)]

comment #7 worked for me. thanks

18.04.1-Ubuntu SMP Thu Aug 1 13:51:02 UTC 2019 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

[Roman Cardenas (zioncompucopy)]

la solucion esta aqui,

https://theoscaargomes.wordpress.com/2018/05/04/solucionando-erro-remmina-linux-ubuntu-18-04/